July 5th ‘11
Monaghan Share Spoils With Wicklow
Monaghan 3 – 9
Wicklow 2 – 12
Monaghan had their first game in the Maire Ni Chinneide Cup when they took on Wicklow in Drumhowan on Sunday last, on the back of the Ulster Final in which they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Tyrone just the week previous. Although Monaghan were under strength on that occasion they had to pull out all the stops this time round if they were to gain any points from this competition. With some new faces in the squad, that is exactly what they did.
Wicklow hit 3 unanswered points before Monaghan’s Marie Greenan converted a free in the 5th minute. Joanne Mc. Skeane who had an exceptional game in the backs passed the ball to Michelle Morgan who subsequently sent over another point for Monaghan. Monaghan’s Shauna Finnegan who was superb throughout sent a pass into the awaiting Mairead Mc. Carron who rattled the net in the 7th. Minute.
Wicklow’s Teresa Keogh and Monaghan’s Michele Morgan swapped points before Wicklow’s Kellie Byrne broke through the Monaghan defence to obtain a goal for her side. Shauna Finnegan hit another point from play before Wicklow’s Laura Manley hit 2 similar points . In the 15th minute Marie Greenan converted a free for a foul on Shauna Finnegan and just seconds later Mary Whelan infiltrated the Monaghan defence to add another goal on the Wicklow scoreboard. They continued to add another 2 points from Manley who scored 6 for her side one day and Whelan. Monaghan closed the first half with a converted free from Marie Greenan to leave the deficit at 5 points.
Half time score Wicklow 2 – 8
Monaghan 1 – 6
With the introduction of the Kierans Sisters after the break ,Monaghan started off the stronger and with some good saves By Roisin Mc. Kenna in goals, Monaghan kept the visitors at bay. Marie Greenan again converted a free before Mairead Mc. Carron got her second goal of the match in the 10th minute. Shauna Finnegan rattled the net again for Monaghan 5 mins later to put her side in the lead for the first time in the match. Marie Greenan got two more points for the homesiders but only enough for a draw when they allowed Wicklow back into the fray, getting through for 4 points in the second half.
Manager Malachy Treanor is confident that this side can go one step better when Monaghan make their first journey to Ashbourne to face Meath next Sunday at 2pm.
Westenra Hotel Senior Championship
A full round of fixtures takes place next Tuesday evening when Truagh take on Castleblayney and Clontibret take on Inniskeen, venues to be decided.
Club News
Inniskeen
An interesting weekend was had by the Inniskeen Camogie team as the final of the Louth League took place in Stabannon Parnell GAA Grounds on Sunday 3rd July. Throw in was at 2pm. However, despite beautiful weather conditions, the opposing team was a “no-show”. The referee blew up the game and the Inniskeen ladies now await the decision from the County board as to weather a replay will be held.
Upcoming games: Inniskeen meet Clontibret in the next round of the championship on Tuesday 12th July (venue to be confirmed). Training continues on Friday at 7pm in Gratton Pairc.
Castleblayney
Castleblayney Camogie Team represented County Monaghan in Feile 2011 in County Galway . Well done to all the team who played 3 great games in constant rain last Friday and Saturday. It was the first time away from home for a number of these young girls who were fabulously hosted by Ahascaragh-Caltra and who represented their families, club and county proudly with exemplary behaviour and effort all week-end. Unfortunately we did not win any games but the manner in which they played against mostly older opposition was a credit to the training they are currently receiving and this will stand them in good stead in the Armagh league which resumes on Thursday evening. Thanks to the mentors Mary, Kate and Amber and to the many parents who travelled to support the girls.
Our seniors played their second of three championship games, having overcome Inniskeen 4 weeks ago. Unfortunately the lack of match practice in the intervening period had an adverse affect with Castleblayney being well off the pace in a game that Clontibret deservedly won on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-3. This was by far the poorest performance seen from this team in the last 2 years and some serious soul searching needs to take place on the training field and elsewhere if Castleblayney are to hold any aspirations of a crack at Clontibrets title this year.
Truagh
: Seniors: Training continues tomorrow at 7.30pm and on Monday at 7.30pm. We played Clontibret last night in Drumhowan in our second championship game, results in next weeks notes. We now play Blayney on Tuesday the 12th of July. The league will then reume on the 26th of July when again we will meet Blayney, this is a home game for us.
Juveniles: Juvenile training on Saturday at 11am. Sharon,Mairead and Gillian are on duty next week. New players are very welcome.
Lucky Square: Congratulations to Karen Landers who was last weeks winner of the lucky square. Could anyone that owes for the lucky square please see Majella. Thank you to all who support.
Clontibret
Congratulations to the sizeable Clontibret contingent who represented the club on the county panel on Sunday last when Monaghan drew with Wicklow in a real cliff-hanger, in the opening round of the Máire Ní Chinneide Cup. This match was played in the impeccable Drumhowan pitch. This Sunday the team makes the journey to a favourite stomping ground – Donaghmore/Ashbourne – where they take on Meath. Meath had a comprehensive victory over Kildare last weekend and could be the ‘dark horses’ in this year’s contest. Every good wish to the team, and in particular to Shauna Finnegan (vice-captain), Aideen Greene, Aisling Greenan, Nicola Morgan, Michelle Morgan, Catherine Tomany, Marie Greenan, Eleanor McQuaid, Joanne McSkane, Michaela McGinn and Hannah Tedore.
But before that it’s back to McKeown Park, Drumhowan this Wednesday evening (July 6th) for the second leg of the Westenra Arms senior camogie championship when our cailiní face Truagh. Throw-in is at 7.30 and hopefully there will be plenty of Clontibret support! Next Tuesday, July 12th Clontibret meet Inniskeen in the same competition, also at 7.30, with the venue to be confirmed later in the week.
For our U-14 panel the excitement of recent weeks continues as they play in their first-ever final, in the Louth league this Sunday (July 10th). Their opponents are St. Kevin’s who beat them by a point in the opening match of the competition. It is planned to have this game as a curtain-raiser to the Louth Intermediate League final. At the time of going to press every effort was being made by the Louth County Board to accommodate the Clontibret contingent who will travel on to Donaghmore/Ashbourne for the county match so we are currently awaiting final details of time and venue. Every good wish to these little girls and let’s hope they make their supporters proud of them – yet again!
Our U-16 team was in action on Tuesday against Culloville in the Armagh League. Match report next week.
Great to have Angela Kerr join the senior team for training last week. Angela was home on a week’s holidays from her job as an occupational therapist in London and her first ‘port of call’ was club training where the girls were delighted to meet up with her. Angela has been training with the Croyden Club in London, but due to an administrative glitch has been unable to play competitively with them yet.
Finally congratulations to Eleanor McQuaid who graduated as a fully-fledged physiotherapist on Saturday last in Belfast.
Sympathy
The Club members wish to extend sincere sympathy to Geraldine Clarke trainer of the team on the death of her dearly beloved father Pat Clarke.
Heartfelt sympathy to his wife Betty, son Dermott, daughters and former club members Eilish, Joan, Paula and Grainne
Sincere condolences also to Rioghnach, Marie and Nicola and to all his grandchildren and great grandchild on the sad loss of their grandfather.
A true gentleman, may he rest in peace.
By michael Tue 5th Jul
